ter the game, an argument in the clubhouse took place between Hillenbrand and manager John Gibbons over Hillenbrand allegedly writing defamatory comments about the team on the clubhouse billboard ("This is a sinking ship" and "Play for yourself") after batting practice. This led to a confrontation between Hillenbrand and Gibbons.[3]
Hillenbrand has denied writing the third message, which read, "This is a sinking ship." Zaun couldn't confirm that Hillenbrand had written that part of the note, either, but Gibbons said that was what caused him to confront the designated hitter.